• What we have here, is a failure to communicate…

I’m testing a Mac (but don’t get all worked up) – Part 1

First, this is not me converting, not now, doubtful ever (never say never). The biggest hurdle is not could I learn to love it more than my Windows machines, it is could I learn to love it more than my Windows machines including the cost differential. I just bought a new Windows laptop about 3 months ago – one that performs exceptionally well with a 17″ screen (and don’t get me started about not even having that screen size as an option) for about $600. To buy a MacBook Pro 15″ with similar specs, I would have to spend almost 3 grand. So that means I would need to love it almost 5 times as much and that’s not even possible. I’m way past the point that the machine (or OS) I’m using is makes that big a difference in how proficient I am (it’s all just a matter of adjustment and time). That does not include the fact that I have 3 machines (2 Windows desktops and as Windows laptop, as I mentioned) I use primarily right now (not including the Mac I’m on right) – laptops will also be secondary to me, I am a desktop man fo sho.

Second, although I’ve enjoyed the experience so far, I have a purpose for this excursion into the land of Apple. I am going to try my hand at building an iOS app, because though I love Windows, I also love my iPhone 7+.

So I bought a 2010 MacBook Pro 13″ – yea, it’s old, but I got it for a steal and it performs very well I have to say (had a brand new 512 SSD in it). It is the oldest MacBook Pro that will run macOS Sierra, I believe. The machine does have some limitations due to it’s age, like it won’t run Docker, and even XCode is very slow at times. Still, I don’t think it’s harmed my overall initial experience with a Mac and for the most part, I find it interesting.

My first impression was “Hey, look it’s an iPhone, rotated, with a keyboard!” Then I settled down to learn what it can and cannot do. I’m actually a pretty decent Linux user (server), and so I keep wanting to compare it to that when I’m in the CLI, but while close, it’s a different animal there as well (I know, it’s more of a FreeBSD variant). Anyway, one thing I like and don’t like and then I’ll continue this later.

  • I like the fact that iCloud does sync much of my stuff, so it IS very much like my iPhone with a key
  • I don’t like the fact that it does not have apt-get – yes, I know I can use homebrew (and I’m using it), it’s just not the same

It’s comfortable to use, that’s for sure and in about a week, I’ll be at a conference in NY and will  give it a real test run for a solid week.

More to come…